There's always room at the table.
Growing up, hospitality was simply a way of life. People would arrive without an invitation, sometimes complete strangers, and there was always food to share and a place for them at the table.
That spirit has stayed with us. At Amber, it doesn’t matter where you come from or what brings you through our doors. Everyone is welcome.
Good food, good company and a table to share. That’s what Amber has always been about.
The Way We Cook
At Amber, we believe good food takes time, care and a little curiosity.
Our cooking brings together Middle Eastern and Mediterranean traditions with ingredients, techniques and influences discovered along the way.
We make as much as possible from scratch. Our sourdough begins its journey at least 24 hours before baking, fermenting slowly overnight. Our lamb shoulder cooks gently for around 12 hours, while smoking, fermenting, pickling and open-flame grilling are all part of everyday life in our kitchen.
Some dishes are rooted in tradition, others are inspired by memories or unexpected discoveries. Each has its own story, but they’re all made with the same approach: good ingredients, thoughtful cooking and plenty of flavour.
Meet Murat
Amber was founded in 2018 by Murat Kilic, a self-taught Kurdish chef originally from Turkey.
Murat moved to London as a teenager, initially planning to study electrical engineering. His journey into hospitality began washing pots in a London café, before working his way through different roles in the kitchen and front of house.
In 2012, he opened his first restaurant, Route, in Dalston. After selling the business, he went on to establish Amber in Aldgate East in 2018, followed by Ara in 2025, a second restaurant just across the road with its own approach to food inspired by cultures around the world.
His approach to cooking is shaped by his Kurdish heritage, childhood memories of life in the Taurus Mountains, travel and a curiosity about different food cultures. From the traditional dishes he grew up eating to the ingredients and techniques discovered along the way, those influences continue to find their place on Amber’s menus.
For Murat, food has never belonged to one place or culture. It travels, evolves and brings people together. That belief remains at the heart of Amber today.
Amber Our Restaurant
